20 Effective Ways to Put a Stop to Your Dog's Nightly Barking

Dogs barking at night can be frustrating, especially if it disturbs your sleep or that of your neighbours. As a pet owner, it’s natural to want to have a good relationship with your furry friend, and stopping their barking behaviour is an integral part of that. While some dogs bark to signify something, some others just bark for fun. In this blog post, we’ve compiled 20 effective ways to put a stop to your dog's nightly barking. From identifying the cause of their barking to training tips, these tips will help you keep your dog quiet at night.


1. Identify the Cause of the Barking: The first step to stopping your dog from barking at night is to identify the underlying issue. Some dogs bark due to anxiety, discomfort, or fear. Addressing the root cause can help you figure out the ideal solution.

2. Keep Your Dog Tired: Dogs are more likely to bark at night if they are not tired. Ensure that you take them for proper exercise daily.

3. Create a Peaceful Environment: Creating a relaxing environment for your dog can help them sleep better without unnecessary barking. Get a comfortable and quiet sleeping area for them.

4. Train Your Dog to Sleep When You Sleep: If you can train your dog to sleep when you do, getting them to sleep soundly at night becomes much easier.

5. Use Calming Aids: Calming aids such as lavender oil, medication, or calming treats can help reduce anxiety and calm your dog at night.

6. Create a Routine: Try getting your dog used to a particular night time routine such as walking them before bed or playing with them before bedtime.

7. Use White Noise: White noise can help drown out outside noise that might trigger barking from your dog.

8. Use a Dog Crate: A dog crate can help your dog feel safe and secure and reduce excessive barking.

9. Use a Thunder shirt: Thunder shirts can help calm dogs that have anxiety.

10. Cover Your Windows: Covering windows at night can help prevent your dog from seeing passers-by that may trigger barking.

11. Reward Good Behaviour: Reward your dog with a treat when they have reduced barking or followed through with training correctly.

12. Teach Your Dog the “Quiet” Command: Training your dog to recognize when it’s time to be quiet can help reduce night time barking.

13. Don’t Reinforce the Barking: Avoid giving your dog attention when they are barking, as doing so can reinforce the barking behaviour.

14. Limit Food and Water Intake: Reducing your dog's food and water intake at night can help prevent waking up hungry or prompting the need to urinate in the middle of the night.

15. Hire a Dog Walker: If your dog remains noisy all night, consider hiring a dog walker to take them out while you're sleeping.

16. Use Citronella Spray: Using Citronella spray can distract your dog, making it easier for you to train them.

17. Don’t Punish Your Dog: Punishing your dog for barking is not the right solution, and it can lead to more barking.

18. Address Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety can lead to barking. Address it properly and your dog's barking will reduce.

19. Encourage Quiet Time: Encouraging your dog to take quiet time during the day can help them sleep better through the night.

20. Seek Professional Help: If all else fails, enlist the services of a veterinarian or professional dog trainer to help your furry friend overcome the habit of barking at night.


Finally, putting a stop to your dog's barking habit won't be easy, but it's crucial to ensure a good relationship between you and your pet. With these 20 tips, you're sure to find a few that work for you. Remember to be patient and consistent with each method you try. By doing so, you’ll not only have a quiet, relaxed night but also build a deeper bond with your furry friend.